The online streaming platform, Showmax has announced its second Kenyan original series, entitled Famous. Famous will be a 10-part musical drama that will air exclusively on Showmax and focus on Kenya’s music industry.
Enos Olik, a renowned music video director and filmmaker, created and directed Famous through his production company, EOP Films. The series follows three young artists, Nyota, Magic, and Nikita, as they navigate Nairobi’s complicated music industry. Nyota faces her dirty past while attempting to rise to stardom in this glittering yet harsh world. Magic, a well-known rapper and producer known for his fast lifestyle and fortune, is trying to expand his empire with his number one singer, Nikita, whose spectacular career is threatened by new scandals and a desire for even greater success.
Newcomers Michelle Tiren as Nikita and Brianna Wanjiku as Nyota join former Mr World Kenya and actor Khula Budi (Maria) as the troubled rapper and producer Magic. In supporting, roles are Manasseh Nyagah (Uradi), Keith Chuaga (Disconnect), Morris Mwangi (You Again), Ciku Shire (The Wives), Sarah Hassan (Crime and Justice), Brahim Ouma, and Sandra Wambui.
Olik is most known for his music videos for Sauti Sol, Kaligraph Jones, Vanessa Mdee, and Hart the Band. He has also worked as a cinematographer on the multi-award-winning film Supa Modo and top Kalasha 2020 winner and Africa Movie Awards 2020 nominee 40 Sticks.
“Music has always been a significant part of my life and career since I started as a music video director before branching out into other forms of filmmaking and content creation. So famous is a story that I can personally relate to; Olik explained, “I wanted to convey an ambitious journey through the music industry while making it feel real.”
Famous, which is now in production, is Kenya’s second-ever musical drama, following Groove Theory (2013), and will contain original music described by Olik as “raw and Kenyan.”
